If you live in a rental property, whether it’s an apartment or single-family home, you may be wondering, who is responsible for pest control? Are landlords responsible for pest control, or are tenants? In some ways, tenants and landlords share responsibility for controlling pests. If you have a few ants, it’s a tenant’s responsibility to keep things clean so they don’t keep coming back, or even put out a few ant baits to make them go away. If it’s a systemic infestation, then the responsibility will likely fall to the landlord to get professional pest treatment.
In this blog, we’ll go over whose responsibility pest control is – landlord or tenant – and what you need to know about pests living in a rental.
Who Is Responsible for Pest Control?
Different states and cities have different laws concerning landlords, tenants, and pest control. But in most cases, the landlord is responsible for exterminating pests in their buildings. Usually, a pest problem compromises the entire building — not just certain areas.
This is because if a specific building area has a pest problem, you can safely assume that this pest problem is already in your unit or somewhere else inside your complex. DO NOT ignore residential pest control if you have a problem in your unit.
Landlords and Pest Control
For the most part, the landlord is responsible for pest control, including extermination and prevention services. Landlords are also typically responsible for ensuring their properties are free from insects and rodents.
However, it’s extremely important that you read your rental agreement or lease agreement carefully before signing it. This is because the landlord has the right to follow certain rules and regulations regarding pest control. The landlord may have paid for the initial pest control service or included it in the rent payments. It is best to check before you sign anything so there are no misunderstandings about who will pay for what later on down the road.
If you live in an apartment, rental home, or condo, you are probably used to seeing pests such as roaches and mice. While it is possible to keep these pests out of your home, it can be difficult. If your landlord refuses to do anything about the problem, you may need to contact the local health department or hire a pest control company.
In severe cases, you may also need legal advice to pursue damages against your landlord for refusing to take care of the pest problem or if an infestation has caused physical damage inside your home. The good news is that many rentals offer pest control services as part of their lease agreements.
Who Pays for Pest Control?
The way to determine the answer to this question is to understand the extent of the infestation. If it’s a few pests, you may ask your landlord for help – but they may say no, and you may need to pay for storebought products out of pocket.
However, if the situation warrants professional intervention, it may no longer be your responsibility. Pest control is generally a landlord’s responsibility. If you have a pest problem, your landlord will likely have to pay for it.
When Tenants Should Pay for Pest Control
The only time tenants should be paying for pest control services is if you’re dealing with an infestation caused by your negligence or neglect. For example, any technician will charge you for their services if you leave trash outside your door or fail to seal off areas where rodents can get inside.
What Should Tenants Do When You Find Pests?
The first thing you should do is ensure that there are no leaks or holes in the walls or floors of your building. This allows insects to enter your home through these openings and makes it easier for them to spread throughout the entire building. Check under sinks and toilets for these holes and windows where water might have been running down from upper floors during heavy rains or storms before moving into your rental home.
Next, look around for cracks or holes in window screens on windows facing your building so that pests cannot get inside from outside during the night when no one is around to see them come.
You should contact your landlord immediately if you find any pests in your space. They want to fix the problem as soon as possible so that no one else gets sick from the infestation! If you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself, or if the landlord doesn’t take action, then call an exterminator immediately. The sooner they come out to inspect the property, the better chance they have of getting rid of all of those nasty little creatures!
Pest Control Experts for Apartments, Condos, Homes, and More
Lookout Pest Control is a leading provider of pest control services for landlords and residential pest services in our region. We are known for our fast and efficient service, including residential and commercial pest control services. We provide pest control services in apartments, condos, duplexes, and houses.
If you need pest control for your apartment, or you have questions about how our multifamily pest control services work, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Call us now for a free estimate!
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